Fort McCoy to benefit from new Enhanced 911 system

By Rob Schuette, Fort McCoy Public AffairsFebruary 24, 2011

Fort McCoy to benefit from new Enhanced 911 system
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT McCOY, Wis. -- The addition of a new Enhanced 911 system has improved emergency-response services at Fort McCoy.

Joe Clemens, the Fort McCoy Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) 911 supervisor, said the new equipment will be used for emergency calls handled by both the installation police and fire departments, which includes the ambulance service. The equipment will be operational 24-7.

"The new equipment will provide phone numbers, maps and a history of calls from any location on post that has a building number or a street name and an address," Clemens said. "It replaces the pen-and-paper system we used that relied on logbooks to provide that information."

The new equipment features technological advances, such as an automatic number redial system that allows a dispatcher to automatically redial a number when disconnected from a caller, he said.

The new system displays detailed site information, (power lines, vegetation locations, parking lots, etc.) to those responding to an incident. Clemens said designated DES personnel will have mobile computers in their vehicles so they have the same information available to them as the dispatchers.

"This will help them with traffic control for an incident," Clemens said. "The remodeled 911 Center also receives all of the installation fire alarms and includes a mass-notification feature, which can be activated to provide advanced warning to seek shelter in the event of severe weather, or other types of emergencies, which could lead to a mass-casualty incident."

The system can be updated and expanded to meet future needs. The system is compatible with the installation's land-line telephone system, so it is convenient to seek emergency assistance, Clemens said. The opportunity may exist to make it compatible with cell phones, as well.

The system automatically can notify a designated roster/listing of personnel in case of an emergency. In addition, the new equipment will make it easier to request and support the installation's mutual-aid agreements with surrounding communities, he said.

The system also will allow police officers to call into dispatch, for example, for a records check on a vehicle license plate for any outstanding traffic violations, etc.

Recent renovations to the Public Safety Center support two ergonomically friendly work stations for dispatchers.

For more information about the Enhanced 911 system, call DES at 608-388-2000.